Stebbins’ Hickey burns Skyhawks

Fairborn defenders Christian Rountree (27), Damien Mentzer (35) and Nico Elam (24) close in on Stebbins quarterback David Hickey, during Saturday’s high school football game in Riverside. Hickey gained 273 yards in total offense and lead the host Indians to a 20-14 win.

Fairborn quarterback Wesley Watts runs away from a Stebbins defensive lineman for a short gain, Saturday at Walter E. Stebbins High School in Riverside. Stebbins won the game, 20-14.

With sweltering 90-plus degree temperatures the game couldn’t help but be hotly contested, but Stebbins’ quarterback David Hickey was the hottest of them all. Hickey rushed for 192 yards and one Indians score, and he tossed to Joe Simpkins for the winning score, to come up with 273 yards in total offense.

“You know, he played really well today,” Stebbins coach Trace Smitherman said. “Our offensive line has done a great job of coming off the ball and allowing him to do some of the things that he does. He’s quite a fighter.”

Despite Hickey’s heroics, Fairborn remained even with the Indians until late in the third quarter. Then a strange chain of events ensued.

First, Hickey connected with senior wideout Lou Ryan for a 74-yard pass play that put the ball on the Skyhawks’ 5-yard line. But one play later, the Indians’ Mason Dyer was hit hard, fumbled, and Fairborn’s Tim Robinson came up with the football.

But on Fairborn’s very next play from scrimmage, Stebbins defender Chase Rowe intercepted Wesley Watts’ pass on Fairborn’s 30.

Nine plays later, Hickey’s 7-yard pass to Simpkins earned the Indians their second win of the season.

Fairborn had two more chances to score, but the Indians’ Elijah Hall hauled in an interception to kill a Skyhawks drive at Stebbins’ 10-yard line, and then a Skyhawk rusher fumbled the ball away on Stebbins’ 38 with 43 seconds left in the game.

“We gave up opportunities, we gave up turnovers, we got the ball down deep in their territory in the first half and didn’t get points (a missed 35-yard field goal), we throw a pick and don’t get points … We shot ourselves in the foot, but I’ve gotta give Stebbins credit. They kept fighting and came out on top,” Fairborn coach Roy Thobe said.

Despite the two picks, Fairborn’s Watts converted 12 of 21 passes for 117 yards, including a 4-yard first-quarter touchdown toss to Leighton Mohr. Fairborn’s other score came in the third quarter when Dusty Johnson rumbled in from three yards out. Adam Knaub booted both extra point tries with ease.

In other Saturday games: Cedarville defeated Cincinnati Christian, 40-0; Xenia lost on the road 42-6 to Kings Mills Kings; Wilmington defeated Bellbrook, 28-21; Greeneview lost at London Madison Plains, 18-6; and Greenon fell to London by a 55-6 score. We’ll have our weekly football roundup in Wednesday’s paper.

Stebbins 20, Fairborn 14

Fairborn 7 0 7 0 — 14

Stebbins 0 6 8 6 — 20

Score by Quarters:

F — Leighton Mohr 4 pass from Wesley Watts, Adam Knaub kick

S — Mason Dyer 4 run, Brad Macher kick

S — David Hickey 51 run, Hickey run

F — Dusty Johnson 3 run, Knaub kick

S — Joe Simpkins 7 pass from Hickey, kick failed

Fairborn defenders Christian Rountree (27), Damien Mentzer (35) and Nico Elam (24) close in on Stebbins quarterback David Hickey, during Saturday’s high school football game in Riverside. Hickey gained 273 yards in total offense and lead the host Indians to a 20-14 win.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2015/09/web1_DSC_0171.jpgFairborn defenders Christian Rountree (27), Damien Mentzer (35) and Nico Elam (24) close in on Stebbins quarterback David Hickey, during Saturday’s high school football game in Riverside. Hickey gained 273 yards in total offense and lead the host Indians to a 20-14 win.

Fairborn quarterback Wesley Watts runs away from a Stebbins defensive lineman for a short gain, Saturday at Walter E. Stebbins High School in Riverside. Stebbins won the game, 20-14.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2015/09/web1_DSC_0106.jpgFairborn quarterback Wesley Watts runs away from a Stebbins defensive lineman for a short gain, Saturday at Walter E. Stebbins High School in Riverside. Stebbins won the game, 20-14.